How Hitting the Snooze Button Could Be a Sign of Sleep Deprivation and Affect Your Health

Getting out of bed in the morning can be challenging, and it can be tempting to hit the snooze button to snag a few extra minutes of sleep. While this habit may seem harmless, it could be an indicator of a more severe issue: sleep deprivation. Experts warn that hitting the snooze button can disrupt a person’s sleep cycle and throw them off for the rest of the day. This article delves into the science behind the snooze button, exploring its effects on sleep cycles, circadian rhythms, and overall health.

The Snooze Button Disrupts Sleep Cycles

Hitting the snooze button can disrupt a person’s sleep cycle, making them feel groggy and disoriented when they wake up. When an alarm goes off, it often wakes people up from REM sleep. REM sleep is essential because it’s when the brain is most active, and people tend to dream during this stage. However, when someone wakes up from REM sleep, they may fall back into a lighter sleep, making them feel more exhausted than before.

“The next few minutes of sleep may not be as refreshing as if you were to spend those minutes in deeper sleep,” warns Dr. Sunjay Kansagra, professor of child neurology and sleep medicine at Duke University Health. Falling back into a deeper sleep while snoozing can also result in sleep inertia, a feeling of grogginess and disorientation after waking up.

The Health Risks of Sleep Deprivation

While snoozing may not be inherently dangerous, the habit is often indicative of sleep deprivation, which can lead to significant health issues. According to a study, just over half of people (about 57%) reported needing multiple alarms to get out of bed in the morning, and about one in three American adults isn’t getting enough sleep. Lack of sleep has been linked to various health problems such as type 2 diabetes, depression, obesity, and heart disease. It can also lead to dangerous situations while driving or working.

The body’s circadian rhythm controls blood pressure, metabolism, body temperature, and more. While it’s still unclear how snoozing might affect this rhythm, one study found that people who snoozed had a higher resting heart rate. Researchers are still trying to determine the relationship between the snooze button and the body’s circadian rhythm. However, many experts agree that hitting snooze may throw off the body’s natural sleep cycle and make it more difficult to get a good night’s sleep.

Finding a Healthier Wake-Up Routine

The Effects of the Snooze Button on Circadian Rhythms

Sleep experts suggest that the best way to avoid the snooze button is to aim for quality sleep. Adults should get between 7 and 9 hours of sleep each night. However, if someone is hitting those targets and still feeling tired, they may have a higher sleep requirement. It’s essential to get as much good quality sleep as possible, rather than hitting the snooze button multiple times. Experts suggest setting an alarm for the latest possible time a person can wake up to ensure that they are getting the sleep their body needs.

Conclusion

Hitting the snooze button may seem like a harmless habit, but it can disrupt a person’s sleep cycle, throw off the body’s circadian rhythm, and be indicative of a more severe issue: sleep deprivation. Getting quality sleep is crucial for overall health and wellbeing. People should aim to get between 7 and 9 hours of sleep each night, and if they are still feeling tired, they may need even more sleep. Instead of hitting the snooze button multiple times, experts suggest setting an alarm for the latest possible time to ensure that they are getting the rest they need.